'True soul mates' died in hospital shooting

Clifford WardSpecial to the Tribune

A man and woman who were found shot to death in a Sycamore hospital room this week had been together 30 years and were “true soulmates,” according to the owner of the mobile home community in north-central Illinois where the couple lived.

Police responding to a call just before 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Kindred Hospital Sycamore found Mario Engoglia, 54, and Susan Triezenberg, 57, dead in Engoglia’s hospital room.

Police recovered a handgun in the room, according to Police Chief Don Thomas, who said at least one and possibly both of the victims apparently died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.

David Shaw, the owner and manager of the Oak Park Estates in Granville, said Engoglia and Triezenberg had lived in the small town near the Illinois River in Putnam County since 2009.

“They were true soul mates – one couldn’t live without the other,” Shaw said Wednesday.

Engoglia suffered from serious health issues, Shaw said, though Shaw said he did not know their exact nature. He recalled speaking with Engoglia about his medical troubles shortly after the couple moved there three years ago.

“I think he knew his days were numbered,” Shaw said.

Shaw, who described Engoglia and Triezenberg as a quiet couple, said he had completed a plumbing job at their residence several days ago. Engoglia was not there, Shaw said, but he chatted with Triezenberg and said she seemed fine.

Shaw said this summer he had been supplying the couple with tomatoes from his garden.

He said the couple never married, but had been together 30 years. Engoglia could not work because of his health, and Triezenberg spent her time running errands and caring for him, he said.

The website for the seven Illinois Kindred hospitals said they provide acute, long-term care for medically complex cases. Cindy Smith, chief executive officer for the Sycamore hospital, did not return a phone call Wednesday seeking comment.

Police said they were able to quickly isolate the shooting scene, and operations at the 69-bed hospital were not significantly affected by the shooting.